Gibson described Wallace as a “butcher” but said he saw similarities in Second World War hero Desmond Doss, the subject of his latest film Hacksaw Ridge.

Doss was the first conscientious objector to receive America’s Medal of Honour after saving the lives of 75 men on a Japanese battlefield without carrying a gun.

“They’re both men of conviction who were willing to die for what they believed,” Gibson said.

“But Desmond was the pacifist, he wouldn’t take another life, whereas Wallace was a butcher. He’d light people on fire.

“Desmond was far more evolved in solving the world’s problems.”

Hacksaw Ridge, which is up for five Baftas next month, marked Gibson’s return to directing for the first time in a decade following a string of controversies in recent years including his controversial anti-Semitic rant in 2006.

The Lethal Weapon actor said he decided to return to work as a director because Hacksaw Ridge was a “story well worth telling”.

“It’s a war film but it’s beyond that, it’s a love story,” he said.

“It’s a man who goes to war with his core belief - love. He wants to help others and he considers others more important than himself. So in that way he’s selfless, he sacrifices and he surely did.

“He saved many and the inspirational aspect of the story is huge so why wouldn’t I tell a story like that? It’s the pinnacle of heroism.”